ERIC Number: ED584750
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 120
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-0-3557-7807-6
ISSN: EISSN-
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Selecting and Retaining Special Education Teachers: A Review of Critical Factors to Improve Hiring and Retention
Bohannon, Donald L.
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Missouri Baptist University
The problem studied was an inefficient hiring process at Special School District (SSD). This study examined the impact of utilizing three new screening criteria to improve the hiring process. The research was valuable for SSD and other school districts because teacher attrition negatively impacts student's achievement and increases district resource utilization and costs. Process theory was the foundational piece that supported the study. There were three research questions. The first and second questions asked if graduate grade point average and undergraduate grade point average predicted increased longevity of employment. The third research question asked if previous paraeducator experience predicted increased longevity. The research study was quantitative. Correlational and regression methods were used to predict retention as a function of graduate and undergraduate grade point average. A t-test was used to determine if the two sample means of paraeducator experience or no paraeducator experience were significantly different. An analysis of 200 randomly selected special education teachers failed to disprove the Null Hypothesis associated with the three research questions. However, previous paraeducator experience had a significant negative correlation to teacher retention. The study findings are valuable to SSD because they will inform District Human Resources practice. The district practice of screening based upon grade point average should be examined and refined. Further research on the use of grade point average is recommended. District practice relating to the hiring, assignment, and induction support of new special education teachers with previous experience as a district paraeducator should be studied and improved. This study may positively impact social change by informing SSD hiring and induction practice and improve special education services for students as well as save taxpayer dollars. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Special Education Teachers, Screening Tests, Teacher Selection, School Districts, Teacher Persistence, Grade Point Average, Graduate Study, Undergraduate Study, Predictor Variables, Paraprofessional School Personnel, Experience, Statistical Analysis
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
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Author Affiliations: N/A